Recording medium cartridge with memory circuit employing a hierarchical data structure

ABSTRACT

A recording medium cartridge includes a memory circuit for storing information concerning signals recorded on the recording medium within the cartridge. The information is stored in the memory circuit in the form of a hierarchic data structure which includes a plurality of data packets having a predetermined form and length. Each data packet includes a code indicative of a level in the data structure to which the data packet belongs. At least some of the data packets include data indicative of starting and ending positions on the recording medium of recorded signals which the data packet represents. The hierarchic (or “tree”) data structure facilitates rapid retrieval and reproduction of the signals recorded on the recording medium, particularly when the recording medium is a magnetic tape. The tree structure also facilitates storage of information in connection with recording of additional signals on the recording medium.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/596,174 filed Jun. 16,2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,922,520 the entirety of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a recording medium cartridge of the type whichincludes a memory for storing information concerning signals recorded onthe recording medium, and more particularly is related to a manner ofstoring information in the memory of such a recording medium cartridgeso as to promote higher efficiency in the management and retrieval ofthe information stored in the memory and of the signals recorded on therecording medium.

In a known type of recording medium cartridge, such as a magnetic tapecassette, information concerning the magnetic tape, such as thethickness, the type, the length, the grade, etc., of the magnetic tape,can be determined on the basis of a plurality of detection holes(hereinafter referred to as “recognition holes”) that are provided at acorner of the rear face of the cassette.

However, as the size of cartridges has been reduced, it has becomeincreasingly difficult both to provide locations for the recognitionholes and to provide a desired amount of information using the number ofrecognition holes which are available.

Moreover, in order to determine what materials are recorded on themagnetic tape, it is necessary to advance or rewind the magnetic tape toreach the position on the tape at which the material of interest isrecorded. This often requires a significant period of time.

To overcome these problems, it has been proposed to include in arecording medium cartridge a memory, separate from the magnetic tape,for storing information with respect to the cartridge and the materialsrecorded on the tape. Such a recording medium cartridge is disclosed,for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,338,644 and 4,383,285.

With a recording medium cartridge of the type just described, having amemory for storing information concerning the materials recorded on therecording medium, it is important that the information stored in thememory accurately reflect the materials recorded on the recording mediumand also that the information stored in the memory be managedefficiently. However, the prior art fails to disclose any system formanaging the information stored in the memory.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide amethod of storing information in the memory of a recording mediumcartridge using a predetermined technique which facilitates efficientmanagement of the materials recorded on the recording medium.

Another object is to divide the program materials recorded on therecording medium into a number of separate groups corresponding todifferent categories of programs and to organize the groups in the formof a hierarchic or tree structure to facilitate management of theprogram materials.

A further object of the invention is to provide a recording mediumcartridge having a memory for storing information concerning programsrecorded on the recording medium, with the information being stored soas to divide the programs into groups for facilitating classification ofthe programs and searching for, and reference to, the recorded programs.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method ofstoring information representative of signals recorded on a recordingmedium accommodated within a recording medium cartridge includes thesteps of providing a memory device as part of the recording mediumcartridge and storing the information in the form of a tree structurethat includes at least a plurality of directory entries each havingassociated therewith a plurality of data items. Each of the data itemsrepresents a respective portion of the signals recorded on the recordingmedium, and contains data indicative of a starting position and a endingposition on the recording medium of the respective portion of thesignals.

According to another aspect of the invention, at least some of the dataitems are formed of at least one data packet and each data packet has afixed length and a predetermined format and includes a level codeindicative of a level of the tree structure, the data packet beingassigned to that level of the tree structure.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a method of retrieving information representative of signalsrecorded on a recording medium accommodated within a recording mediumcartridge, with the information having been stored in the form of a treestructure in a memory device provided as part of the recording mediumcartridge and the method including the steps of loading the recordingmedium cartridge in a recording and reproducing apparatus that isoperatively connected to a display device, and displaying at least someof the information on the display device. According to further aspectsof the invention the signals recorded on the recording medium includevideo signals, the display device is a video monitor or a televisionreceiver, the information stored in the memory device includes imagedata representative of respective portions of the video signals and thedisplaying step includes displaying a plurality of images simultaneouslyin split-screen form, with each of the displayed images representing arespective portion of the video signals recorded on the recordingmedium.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided arecording medium cartridge which includes a housing, a recording mediumaccommodated within the housing, a memory device carried by the housing,and terminals associated with at least one outer surface of the housingfor providing electrical connections between the memory device and areproducing apparatus with which the cartridge is to be used. The memorydevice has stored therein data signals representative of programinformation recorded on the recording medium. The data signals arestored in the form of a tree structure including at least a plurality ofdirectory entries each having associated therewith a plurality of dataitems. Each of the data items represents a respective portion of theprogram information, and contains data indicative of a starting positionand an ending position on the recording medium of the respective portionof the program information.

The information storage and retrieval methods and the recording mediumcartridge as just described permit efficient management of the storedinformation relating to the recorded program materials and provide forrapid and convenient access to the recorded program materials.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptionthereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b) diagrammatically illustrate a basic data item usedin forming a data structure according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a portion of a signal that is recordedon magnetic tape and which corresponds to one of the data items of FIGS.1( a) or 1(b);

FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates an extended data item in whichadditional information has been added to the basic data item of FIGS. 1(a) or 1(b);

FIG. 4 diagrammatically illustrates another extended data item withfurther information added to the data item of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 diagrammatically illustrates still another extended data itemformed by adding image data to a basic data item;

FIG. 6 diagrammatically illustrates a tree structure formed using basicdata items;

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates signals recorded on a magnetic tape andcorresponding to the tree structure of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates tree structure levels characteristic ofpre-recorded tapes and user tapes;

FIG. 9 diagrammatically illustrates a complete tree structure formedusing basic data items;

FIG. 10 diagrammatically illustrates a sequence of memory locations inwhich are stored data items corresponding to the tree structure of FIG.9;

FIG. 11 diagrammatically illustrates another tree structure formed usingbasic data items;

FIG. 12 diagrammatically illustrates a tree structure which includes adirectory entry corresponding to a highlight scene;

FIG. 13 diagrammatically illustrates a tree structure including adirectory entry which corresponds to a custom file;

FIG. 14 diagrammatically illustrates a hierarchic data structurecorresponding to a blank cartridge;

FIG. 15 is a flow chart which illustrates a procedure for managinginformation with respect to either a blank or a recorded cartridge;

FIG. 16 diagrammatically illustrates in the form of a tree structureautomatic creation of directory entries during signal recordingoperations in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17 diagrammatically illustrates creation of a new directory entrywithin the tree structure shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 diagrammatically illustrates application of a title to the newdirectory entry of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 diagrammatically illustrates association of program segmentswith the new directory entry of FIGS. 17 and 18;

FIG. 20 diagrammatically illustrates addition of a new data item to thetree structure of FIG. 19 upon commencement of a signal recordingoperation;

FIG. 21 diagrammatically illustrates modification of the tree structureof FIG. 20 by the addition of another directory entry with programsegments associated therewith;

FIG. 22 diagrammatically illustrates modification of the tree structureof FIG. 21 by applying a title to a previously untitled directory entry;

FIG. 23 diagrammatically illustrates a tree structure for informationstored with respect to program materials on a pre-recorded tape;

FIG. 24 schematically illustrates recorded signal portions selected toform a digest of a program on a pre-recorded tape;

FIG. 25 diagrammatically illustrates a tree structure which includes adirectory entry corresponding to the digest illustrated in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a table which illustrates the format of a data packet usedfor storing information in the memory of a recording medium cartridge inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a table which shows codes to be used in the data packet ofFIG. 26 for identifying a level to which the data packet is assigned ina tree structure;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a recording medium cartridge providedwith a memory device in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the recording mediumcartridge of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a semi-schematic perspective view of a printed wiring boardembodying the memory device incorporated in the recording mediumcartridge of FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a system in which therecording medium cartridge of FIG. 28 may be used;

FIG. 32 is a flow chart of a procedure for entering data items in arecording medium cartridge memory in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 33 illustrates a screen display viewed by the user during entry oftext information into the recording medium cartridge memory;

FIG. 34 illustrates a screen display of information stored in therecording medium cartridge memory; and

FIG. 35 shows a split-screen display containing multiple imagesreproduced from image data stored in the recording medium cartridgememory and representing respective recorded program segments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring initially to FIG. 28, a recording medium cartridge 31, inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention, includes a case 32 thatis formed in the shape of a flat, rectangular box by joining together atop half case 36 and a bottom half case 37. The recording mediumcartridge 31 also includes a pair of tape reels 33 disposed within thecase 32, and an IC plate 34 carried within the case 32 and provided withterminals 35 accessible from outside of the case 32.

The case 32 includes a bottom wall 38 having formed therein holes 39 forproviding access to the tape reels 33 and terminal slots 40 forproviding access to the terminals 35 of the IC plate 34. The bottom wall38 also includes a recess 41 across which a magnetic tape (not shown) isextended. It will be understood that the magnetic tape, which is notshown, is wound in a conventional manner on the tape reels 33. Thecartridge 31 also includes a lid 42 which is displaceable in aconventional manner between a closed position which protects the tapeand covers a front opening of the case 32 and an open position whichexposes the magnetic tape.

Referring now to FIGS. 29 and 30, the IC plate 34 includes a printedwiring board 44 having terminals 35 formed thereon. An IC chip 45, i.e.,a semiconductor memory device, is mounted on the printed wiring board44. The IC plate 34 is retained in a shallow, substantially rectangularrecess 43 that is formed in the inner surface of the bottom wall 38 ofthe case 32 at the middle of a rear portion of the bottom wall 38. Thefour terminal slots 40 are arranged laterally in the recess 43. The ICplate 34 and recess 43 are dimensioned so that the IC plate 34 fitssnugly in the recess 43.

The terminals 35 are rectangular and are elongated in the widthwisedirection of the case 32. The terminals 35 extend in parallel and arearranged in a sequence in the lengthwise direction of the case 32 inpositions corresponding to respective terminal slots 40. The terminals35 are preferably gold-plated to provide lasting and reliable electricalcontacts.

A circuit pattern formed on the printed wiring board 44 connects theterminals 35 with the IC chip 45. The terminals 35 include, for example,a power supply terminal 35 a, a data input/output terminal 35 b, a clockterminal 35 c, and a ground terminal 35 d. The IC plate 34 is securedwithin the recess 43 of the bottom wall 38 by welding, an adhesive orthe like, and is positioned with the IC chip 45 facing downwardly withrespect to the case 32 and the terminals 35 presented for access viarespective terminal slots 40.

FIG. 31 schematically illustrates a video system 50 in which therecording medium cartridge 31 (in this case a video tape cassette) maybe used. The video system 50 includes a video tape recorder (VTR) 51 inwhich the tape cassette 31 is inserted and which is connected to atelevision receiver 52 for display of video signals reproduced from thecassette 31. A remote control unit 54 is provided for a user to entercontrol commands for the VTR 51, and an antenna 56 is provided as asignal source for the VTR 51.

Video signals received via antenna 56 are supplied to a tuner 58 and atuned signal output from the tuner 58 is processed by a video signalprocessor 60 for recording on a magnetic tape 6 accommodated within tapecassette 31.

The VTR 51 also includes an output processor 62 which processes videosignals reproduced from the tape 6 of tape cassette 31 and outputs theprocessed signals for display by the TV receiver 52. Although notexplicitly shown in the simplified block diagram of FIG. 31, it shouldbe understood that the VTR 51 includes a rotary magnetic recording headand associated circuitry for recording on the magnetic tape 6 the signalprovided by video signal processor 60 and for reproducing from themagnetic tape 6 a signal to be processed by output processor 62.

The IC memory chip 45 carried in tape cassette 31 is connected for datacommunication, via at least one of the terminals 35 (FIGS. 28-30), witha microprocessor 64 provided within VTR 51 (FIG. 31). The microprocessor64 may, for example, be the primary control circuit for controlling allthe operations of VTR 51. Accordingly, microprocessor 64 is connectedfor receiving command signals from the remote control unit 54 by way ofremote receiving circuitry 66 which is in communication with the remotecontrol unit 54 via a wireless signal path 68. It will be understoodthat the microprocessor 64 has associated therewith conventionalcircuits such as program memory and working memory, which are notseparately shown.

The VTR 51 also includes a VBI decoder 70 which separates verticalblanking interval code signals from the tuned video signal provided bytuner 58 and provides decoded signals to the microprocessor 64. VTR 51also includes a frame memory 72 which stores one or more frames ofreproduced video signals output from output processor 62 and providesthe signals, in the form of digital data, to the microprocessor 64.

The microprocessor 64 is also preferably employed for controllingadvancing or rewinding of the magnetic tape 6 by means of a tapetransport mechanism that is not shown in FIG. 31. The microprocessor 64accordingly has access to data indicative of the position of tape 6relative to the winding or unwinding thereof within cassette 31.

The manner of storing data in the memory 45 of the video tape cassette31 will now be described. Referring initially to FIGS. 1( a) and 1(b), abasic data item 1 represents a minimum unit of data stored in the memory45 for the purpose of keeping track of video signals recorded on thetape 6 of tape cassette 31. As shown in FIG. 1( a), the data item 1includes a time code 2 which represents a starting point of a recordedvideo signal portion and a time code 3 which represents the end point ofthe video signal portion. Alternatively, the basic data item may takethe form of the data item 1′ (FIG. 1( b)), in which the starting pointof the signal portion is represented by a track number 2′ and the endingpoint is represented by a track number 3′. In the following description,it will be assumed that the data item 1, including time codes, is used,rather then the data item 1′, which includes track numbers.

The data item 1 corresponds, as shown in FIG. 2, to a video signal thatis recorded at a particular section 7 of a magnetic tape 6 wound aroundreels 33 of the video tape cassette 31. The recorded area 7 is definedby a starting point 8 which corresponds to the time code 2 of the dataitem 1 and by an ending point 9 which corresponds to the time code 3 ofthe data item 1. The length of the recorded area 7 is arbitrary, and maybe fixed as the area corresponding to one frame or may be of variablelength corresponding, for example, to a recorded program.

The basic data item 1 can be extended by addition of data of varioustypes. For example, and as shown in FIG. 3, text data representing aprogram name 10 can be added to the data item so that the data itemincludes the program name data 10 in addition to the starting time code2 and the ending time code 3. It will be appreciated that the programname 10 may be, for example, the title of a movie recorded in the tapearea defined by the starting and ending time codes.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the data added to the data item 1 mayinclude, in addition to the program name 10, a program number 11 and adate of recording 12. For example, the program number 11 may be “program1”, the program name 10 may be “overseas tour” and the date may be “May5, 1992”.

In each of the examples described with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4, theadditional information has been in the form of text information.Alternatively, however, the additional information may take the form ofimage data 13 (as shown in FIG. 5) which represents an image indicativeof the contents of the video signal recorded in the tape area defined bythe time codes 2 and 3. In the particular example shown in FIG. 5, itwill be noted that the additional information includes both image data13 and a program name 10. Thus, it will be seen that mixed types of datamay be included in the additional information added to the basic dataitem 1. The types of data may include text data, image data, audio data,executable software files, codes indicative of copyright protection, andso forth.

There will now be described a data structure based upon the fundamentaldata items as shown in FIG. 1 and used for storing the data in thememory 45 of tape cassette 31. It will be understood that if a number ofrecording operations are performed using the tape cassette 31 so that anumber of video signal portions are formed in respective areas of tape6, then a corresponding number of basic data items 1 will be accumulatedin the memory 45.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, if three programs have been recorded onthe tape, there are three data items present in the memory 45, eachcorresponding to a respective one of the three programs. A first one ofthe three data items includes a time code TC1 representing a startingpoint, and a time code TC2 representing an ending point, of the firstprogram as well as a first program name corresponding to the firstprogram. With respect to the second program, there is a second data itemincluding a starting time code TC3, an ending time code TC4, a secondprogram name and a recording date. Similarly, with respect to a thirdprogram, there is a third data item including a starting time code TC5,an ending time code TC6, and a third program name.

The corresponding tape areas having the respective programs recordedthereon are schematically shown in FIG. 7, with the area in which thefirst program is recorded being defined by time codes TC1 and TC2, thearea in which the second program is recorded being defined by time codesTC3 and TC4 and the area in which the third program is recorded beingdefined by time codes TC5 and TC6.

It should be understood that each of these areas may represent either arecorded portion or a blank portion of the tape. Of course, when therespective area is blank, the corresponding data item includes only thestarting and ending time codes, and does not include additionalinformation such as a program name or a recording date.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the three programs may be formed into agroup under a descriptive name such as “drama” which may be applied tothe group. In particular, a hierarchic or tree data structure is formedin which the three data items corresponding to the three programs areassociated with the group name “drama”. The data entry including thegroup name is formed at a higher level of the tree structure than thelevel at which the three program data items are formed, all of the threeprogram data items being at a common level. This structure may beimplemented by creating a new folder in the memory 45 with the dataitems corresponding to the three programs being processed so as belongto the new folder.

There will now be discussed, with reference to FIG. 8, the types of datastructure levels to be used in a tree or hierarchy for either thepre-recorded tape (such as a movie or a music recording), or for a usertape (that is, a tape on which a purchaser of the tape has performed therecording).

Turning, then, to FIG. 8, it will be noted that three types of levelsare included in the tree structure for a pre-recorded tape, namely atitle level, a chapter level, and a part level. The chapter level is forgathering a plurality of parts into a group under one of the chaptersand the title level is for gathering a plurality of chapters together asa group in association with the title.

On the other hand, for a user tape two levels are provided, a titlelevel and a program level. The title level is for gathering together ina group a plurality of programs to be associated with the title. Thenumbers of levels shown in FIG. 8 are by way of example only, and thenumber of levels can be increased if necessary.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a tree structure for data corresponding tovideo signals recorded by a user on the tape cassette 31. As seen inFIG. 9, the data stored in the memory 45 proceeds from a root 14 intotwo divisions or branches, which are a recording medium informationbranch 15 and a recorded content information branch 16, the latterrepresenting information concerning the signals that have been recordedon the tape.

The recording medium information branch 15 includes identificationinformation 17 with respect to the recording medium cartridge itself aswell as miscellaneous additional data 18. The identification information17 may include, for example, tape thickness information 17 a, tape typeinformation 17 b, tape length information 17 c, tape grade information17 d and a code 17 e for identifying the manufacturer. The miscellaneousadditional data 18 may include such information as date of manufacture,lot number, etc.

The recording content information is stored in the form of a treestructure, of which the highest level 19 includes cartridge titleinformation 19 a and cartridge number information 19 b. The data itemsfor implementing the highest level 19 of the branch 16 are, like thebranch 15, present in the memory 45 of each cartridge. It will beunderstood that information which relates to the entire recordingmedium-cartridge is stored in the recording medium information branch 15and in the highest level 19 of the recorded content information branch16. Moreover, the information stored in the recording medium informationbranch 15 is fixed, whereas the information stored in the highest level19 of the other branch 16 is variable information and can be changed bya user.

Beneath the highest level 19 of the branch 16 there is provided ahierarchic structure for the rest of the branch 16, including title andprogram information. In particular, title level entries corresponding toa “MOVIE 1” and a “MOVIE 2” are present. Program level entries forprograms 1-3 are associated with the entry for “MOVIE 1” at a programlevel that is below the title level, and program level entries forprograms 1 through 4 are associated with the title level entry for“MOVIE 2”.

FIG. 10 indicates the sequence in which the information illustrated inFIG. 9 is stored in the memory of the recording medium cartridge. Thesequence shown in FIG. 10 starts from the lowest-numbered addresslocation and proceeds to higher-numbered addresses. The recording mediuminformation is stored at the beginning of the sequence, followed by theinformation relating to the signals recorded on the tape.

More specifically, the common identification information (correspondingto branch 15 of FIG. 9), including data relating to the recording mediumand data identifying the manufacturer, etc., is stored first, followedby other miscellaneous information. Next is the cassette identifyinginformation, such as number and title, and after that the hierarchicallyarranged data is stored, with each item of title level information beingfollowed with the lower level (program level) entries associated withthe title level entry. That is, the title level entry for “MOVIE 1” isfollowed by the three program entries associated with “MOVIE 1”. Thenthe title level entry for “MOVIE 2” is stored, followed by the fourprogram level entries associated with “MOVIE 2”.

Although FIG. 10 illustrates the data arrangement corresponding to auser tape directory as shown in FIG. 9, it will be understood that asimilar hierarchic data arrangement is used in storing directory datafor a pre-recorded tape.

FIG. 11 shows another hierarchic directory data structure for a usertape. The structure shown in FIG. 11 differs from that of FIG. 9 in thatit has, as part of the title level entry, a starting point time code andan ending point time code for all of the program materials associatedwith the title level entry. In other words, the title level entry for“MOVIE 1” includes the starting point time code TC1 representing thestarting point on the tape of the first program associated with “MOVIE1” and also the time code TC6 representing the ending point of the thirdand last program associated with “MOVIE 1”. Similarly, the title levelentry for “MOVIE 2” includes a starting point time code TC7 and anending point time code TC14, which respectively represent the startingpoint of the first program, and the ending point of the fourth and lastprogram, associated with the title level entry “MOVIE 2”.

In the directories illustrated by FIGS. 9-11, the data simplycorresponds to the recorded materials and their respective recordinglocations on the recording medium. However, the directory structure alsopermits the user to create additional directory entries to providespecial indexing or other functions. For example, the user may provide a“HIGHLIGHT SCENE” entry corresponding to a particular portion of therecorded materials which are of special interest to the user or whichare desired to be readily available for reproduction. Specifically, asshown in FIG. 12, a title level entry 20 has been given the name“HIGHLIGHT SCENE” and has associated therewith a starting point 20 a andan ending point 20 b which define the starting and ending points of thescene which is of special interest to the user. Also associated with the“HIGHLIGHT SCENE” entry is additional information designated byreference numeral 21 and which is image data representing a frame out ofthe recorded material in the area defined by the starting point 20 a andending point 20 b. This frame may be displayed as an index or titlepicture to identify the directory entry 20. Alternatively, or inaddition to the title picture data, other information, such as a scenenumber of the like, can be included in the program level entryassociated with the title level entry “HIGHLIGHT SCENE”.

In selecting and carrying out a procedure in which a “highlight scene”directory entry is created, the user may be guided, for example, by aseries of menus and submenus displayed on the screen of TV receiver 52(FIG. 31). The character information for the menus and submenus may begenerated by the microprocessor 64 and output via output processor 62.The menu may include an item such as “CREATE HIGHLIGHT SCENE FILE”. Whenthis item is selected by, for example, suitable operation of remotecontrol unit 54, submenu items and/or prompt messages such as “SELECTSTARTING POINT OF HIGHLIGHT SCENE FILE”, “SELECT ENDING POINT OFHIGHLIGHT SCENE FILE”, “ENTER NAME OF HIGHLIGHT SCENE FILE”, “CANCELHIGHLIGHT SCENE FILE”, may be displayed by the TV receiver 52 fromcharacter information generated by the microprocessor 64. It will beappreciated that the menu items/prompts may appear superimposed overimages reproduced from the recording medium. Again, selection of menuitems and indication of starting and ending points of the highlightscene program segment may be indicated by operation of the remotecontrol unit 54.

As another example, and as illustrated in FIG. 13, the user can create a“custom file” selected from previously recorded programs. In particular,for the purposes of the example shown in FIG. 13 it is assumed that tenprograms have previously been recorded and that the user desires to havecertain of these programs reproduced in an order different from theorder in which the programs are recorded. The directory entry 22 can becreated for the purpose of selecting the programs and the order ofreproduction. For example, the directory entry 22 can include data whichwill cause program number 2 to be reproduced first, followed by programnumber 10 and then program number 4. After creating this custom file 22,if the user then selects the custom file to control reproduction, thenthe reproduction of program materials will occur with program 2reproduced first, then program 10, then program 4.

As was the case in creation of the highlight scene file, creation of thecustom file may be guided by menus and/or prompts and carried out inresponse to command signals generated using the remote control unit 54.It will be understood that a graphical user interface may also beemployed, in which the tree structure of FIG. 13 is displayed by TVreceiver 52, together with pull-down menus or the like. In this case,the remote control unit 54 may include a track ball or the like, insteadof or in addition to arrow keys, for the purpose of positioning a cursorfor selecting menu items, or for selecting graphically represented filesfor manipulation.

There will now be described, with reference to FIGS. 14-22, a sequenceof operations in which materials are recorded on a blank recordingmedium cartridge while corresponding directory information is stored inthe memory carried in the recording medium cartridge.

First, referring to FIG. 14, there is shown a diagrammaticrepresentation of the directory for a blank cartridge. As before, arecording medium information branch 15 and a recorded contentinformation branch 16 appear under a root item 14. (Although root item14 is shown for conceptual purposes in FIG. 14, it should be understoodthat in terms of the actual information stored in the recording mediumcartridge memory, the root item 14 may be a “phantom” or nonexistentitem.)

All of the data making up the recording medium information branch 15 ispresent in the recording medium cartridge memory, including the commonidentification information 17 and the miscellaneous additional data 18,as previously described, for example, with respect to FIG. 9. However,at this point, since the cartridge is blank, the recorded contentinformation branch 16 consists only of a dummy title level entry inwhich no identifying information has been recorded.

FIG. 15 illustrates in the form of a flow chart a procedure in whichprogram information is recorded on, and reproduced from, the recordingmedium of the cartridge, with corresponding storage of information inthe memory and reference to previously stored information.

The procedure illustrated in FIG. 15 starts with step S1 in which thecartridge is inserted into a recording and reproducing apparatus (suchas the video tape recorder 51 of FIG. 31). Then at step S2, it isdetermined whether the cartridge is a blank cartridge or whethermaterials have previously been recorded in the cartridge.

If the cartridge is not blank, then step S3 follows at which informationrelating to the recorded contents is displayed (for example, on TVreceiver 52 of FIG. 31). The procedure then continues by awaiting acommand (step S4), which is followed, in a typical case, with theselection of a directory entry (step S5) by means of remote control unit54 (FIG. 31) or the like.

After a directory entry is selected at step S5, step S6 follows, atwhich the apparatus advances or rewinds the tape in order to locate thestarting point of the program segment associated with the directoryentry.

The following step is step S7, at which it is determined whether or notto proceed with a recording operation. If not, step S10 may follow, withactuation of a reproduction button, followed by reproduction (step S11)of the program materials corresponding to the directory entry selectedat step S6.

Returning to step S2, if it is determined that the tape is blank, theroutine again awaits entry of a command (step S8). Actuation of arecording button may follow (step S9), which is also the step which mayfollow step S7 if it was determined at step S7 to proceed with arecording operation. In either case, upon the commencement of recordingin response to step S9, a new directory entry is created (step S12) andthe time code representing the point on the tape at which recording hasbegun is included in the entry (step S13). Recording then continuesuntil a stop or pause is directed by the user (step S14) and at thatpoint a time code representative of the stopping point on the tape isadded to the new directory entry (step S15). The routine then ends (stepS16).

FIG. 16 illustrates the data structure which exists after three programsegments, respectively represented by TC1-TC2, TC3-TC4 and TC5-TC6, havebeen recorded by three iterations of the steps S9-S15. Gathering ofthese three program segments together into a group will how be describedwith reference to FIGS. 17-19. First, as shown in FIG. 17, a newdirectory entry 23 is created without any identifying information havingbeen applied thereto. Next, a name such as “DRAMA 1” is applied to thenewly created directory entry, as shown in FIG. 18. Then, by entry ofsuitable commands, the three program segments TC1-TC2, TC3-TC4 andTC5-TC6 are subsumed under the directory item “DRAMA 1”, now indicatedby reference numeral 24 in FIG. 19. In other words, the three programsegments are associated with the directory entry “DRAMA 1” and areplaced at a level below the level of the directory entry “DRAMA 1”.

At this point, if the user selects the “DRAMA 1” entry and then proceedsto record material, a new directory entry including the recording startpoint time code TC7 is formed at a level below, and associated with, the“DRAMA 1” entry, as shown in FIG. 20. Several new directory entriesproduced in this manner may subsequently be gathered together under anew directory entry such as “DRAMA 2”, as shown in FIG. 21, in a mannersimilar to that shown with respect to FIGS. 17-19. In the particularexample shown in FIG. 21, it will be understood that three programsegments are associated with the higher level directory entry “DRAMA 1”(reference numeral 24) while two program segments (TC7-TC8 and TC9-TC10)are associated with the directory entry “DRAMA 2” (reference numeral 26)which is at the same level as the directory entry “DRAMA 1”.

To complete the directory structure, the heretofore untitled cartridgemay be assigned a title such as “POPULAR DRAMA” as shown in FIG. 22.

As discussed previously in connection with FIG. 13, the user interfacefor carrying out the functions illustrated in FIGS. 15-22 may includedisplaying on TV receiver 52 some or all of the tree structures shown inFIGS. 16-22, and operating a track ball, “select” key, etc. provided onremote control unit 54 for selection of menu items and/or creation ofnew files or manipulation of existing files. The interface may resemble,for example, that of conventional “desktop” file management and/ordrawing/flow-charting software packages. Alternatively, a largelymenu-based interface may be provided. In the latter case, menu itemssuch as “CREATE NEW DIRECTORY ENTRY”, “APPLY NAME TO DIRECTORY ENTRY”,“SELECT PROGRAM”, “ASSOCIATE PROGRAM WITH DIRECTORY ENTRY”, etc. may beused.

It has been noted that the directory structure described above withreference to FIGS. 15-22 is for a user tape. The directory provided witha pre-recorded tape will be explained now with reference to FIG. 23. Itwill be understood that in a pre-recorded tape, normally the entire tapehas material recorded continuously thereon from beginning to end. Thedirectory structure for the tape, as shown in FIG. 23, like the usertape directory, includes a root item 14 (which may be phantom item), acartridge information branch 15 containing information of the typepreviously described with reference to the corresponding branch in theuser tape directory, and a recorded content branch 16, which comes fullyformed with appropriate directory entries as shown in FIG. 23. Moreparticularly, a cartridge title, typically corresponding to the title ofthe program material (such as a “MOVIE”) recorded therein is present inbranch 16, along with two title level directory entries, one of whichindicates the body of the material (such as the movie itself) and theother of which indicates additional material such as a “trailer” orother advertising material. The “body” title level entry has associatedtherewith five chapter level entries each including chapter identifyingdata and corresponding starting and ending time codes. It will also benoted that associated with the chapter 1 entry are two part levelentries, also with corresponding starting and ending time codes. Thedivision of the recorded material into chapters and parts is flexible inthe sense that the data stored in the memory can be rewritten so as todesignate a different number of chapters and parts and/or differentstarting and ending points for the chapters and parts.

The user is also free to prepare a “digest” of the recorded materials.Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, a directory entry corresponding to adigest (indicated by reference numeral 28 on FIG. 25) can be created byselecting representative portions of the recorded materials. Inparticular, in FIG. 24 the portions selected for the digest are shaded,and include portions defined by the pairs of time codes TCA and TCB; TCCand TCD; TCE and TCF; TCG and TCH; and TCI and TCJ. The diagram of FIG.25 illustrates the data structure at a time when the first three ofthese segments have been associated with the digest entry 28. It will benoted that the digest entry 28 is at the title level, while the excerptsassociated with the digest entry are at the chapter level. Also shown inFIG. 25 are another title level entry with the name “body” indicative ofthe entire movie, and four chapter level entries associated with the“body” title level entry.

After the digest entry has been formed, selection of the digest entryfor reproduction causes only the segments represented by the chapterlevel entries associated with the digest entry to be reproduced, sothat, for instance, representative portions lasting, e.g., thirtyminutes are viewed instead of an entire movie that may comprise twohours, for example, of recorded material.

Formation of the digest entry may be carried out using a menu-basedand/or graphical user interface such as has been previously discussedwith respect to FIGS. 12, 13 and 15-22.

There will now be described a data packet used as a format for storingthe information in the recording medium cartridge memory. In a preferredembodiment, all of the information stored in the memory, or allinformation other than image information, is provided in the form offixed length packets in the format now to be described. As shown in FIG.26, the data packet is formed of five data bytes of eight bits each. Thefirst byte, PC0, is data which identifies the type of data contained inthe balance of the packet. The format of the last four bytes, PC1-PC4,is determined in accordance with the identifying data contained in thefirst byte. The last four bytes are for storing the actual data to beincluded in the packet. The first byte, for the identificationinformation, is divided into an upper four bit segment and a lower fourbit segment. The upper four bits are a code indicative of which level inthe tree structure the data in the packet belongs to, whereas the lowerfour bits identify, for example, the type of data contained in the lastfour bytes of the packet. It will be noted that the upper four bits mayindicate one of up to 16 different levels, while the lower four bits mayindicate one of up to 16 different types of data.

In particular, with respect to the upper four bits, and referring toFIG. 27, there are shown four different level codes as defined in apreferred embodiment of the invention. Specifically, the code 0001corresponds to the title level, 0010 corresponds to the chapter level,0011 corresponds to the part level, and 0100 corresponds to the programlevel. Other codes, of course, can also be defined. Since the first fourbits of the first byte indicate the tree level, the level to which thedata belongs can be determined simply by reading the first four bits ofthe first byte of the data packet.

There will now be described additional details concerning storage ofinformation in, and retrieval of information from, the recording mediumcartridge memory.

In particular, FIG. 32 illustrates an alternative manner in whichdirectory entries may be created in connection with recordingoperations. In the procedure illustrated in FIG. 32, a recordingoperation begins with step S101 at which a recording and reproducingapparatus (such as VTR 51 of FIG. 31) is preprogrammed to carry out arecording operation. The preprogramming is carried out in a conventionalmanner, including, for example, input of information regarding theprogram to be recorded such as the starting and ending times of theprogram and the channel on which the program will be broadcast.Alternatively, a system in which the program is identified by a code maybe used, in which case the appropriate code information is input. Theprocedure continues with step S102, at which the recording andreproducing apparatus determines whether the input starting time hasoccurred. The recording and reproducing apparatus continues to await thestarting time until it occurs, and when the starting time is detected,the apparatus commences recording the program (step S103). The recordingcontinues and at the same time the apparatus awaits the entered endingtime (step S104), at which point recording ceases and the operation endswith entry of appropriate starting and ending point data in the cassettememory (step S105). It will be appreciated that the creation of thedirectory entry may take place beginning with step S103 (i.e., at thecommencement of the recording operation), with the ending point beingentered on detection of the end time, and termination of recording, instep S105. Each of the starting and the ending time may be provided inthe form of a code representing a time code or a frame number, and eachcode may be stored in a separate data packet of the type described withreference to FIGS. 26 and 27. Thus, the two data packets respectivelycorresponding to the starting point and the ending point together form abasic data item of the type shown in FIGS. 1( a) or 1(b).

Moreover, step S105 may include the addition of other information to thebasic data item, as was described with respect to FIGS. 3-5. Thatinformation may include text information such as a program name or adate of recording and/or may include image data representing a frame ofthe recorded material.

With respect to text data, the text to be added to the data item may beformed by operating the remote control unit 54 (FIG. 31) in response toa text editing display displayed on the TV 52, such as that shown inFIG. 33. Referring to FIG. 33, it will be noted that the text editingdisplay includes a list of alpha-numeric and other characters, as wellas function “buttons” and an accumulated text display line used for textediting. The display also has a cursor (indicated by reference numeral80) which may be repositioned by operating directional keys or the likeon the remote control unit. Operation of a “select” key or the like onthe remote control unit 54 results in selection of the character orfunction to which the cursor is pointing.

Some or all of the identifying information may also be provided by meansof the VBID decoder 70 of the VTR 51 (FIG. 31). In particular, theprogram name and/or the date may be contained in a code present in thevertical blanking interval of the tuned signal provided by tuner 58. Theinformation may be extracted by VBID decoder 70 and provided tomicroprocessor 64 for storage as part of the data item in the memory 45.

If the additional information to be added to the data item includes animage representative of the recorded material (as in the data item ofFIG. 5), the remote control 54 may be operated (by actuating an “INDEX”button for instance) to cause microprocessor 64 to receive (via outputprocessor 62 and frame memory 72) image data representing a frame of avideo signal reproduced from the tape 6. Microprocessor 64 then causesthe image data to be stored in the memory 45. Alternatively, a frame ofimage data may be automatically supplied from video signal processor 60to microprocessor 64 for storage in memory 45 each time recording isinitiated.

FIG. 34 illustrates a format in which the information stored in therecording medium cartridge memory may be displayed on the TV receiver 52(FIG. 31) during, for example, step S3 of FIG. 15. Referring to FIG. 34,it will be observed that a header portion of the display includes titleinformation and other information identifying the cartridge as well asthe current date and time. The next entry indicates how much recordingcapacity remains on the recording medium in the cartridge. Therefollows, in the form of a table, name and date information and otherinformation concerning three programs recorded on the cartridge. Thereis also a bar chart indicating the relative lengths of the programs andthe unrecorded area in the cartridge.

Although not shown in FIG. 34, the display may also include a cursor orother indication to permit selection of one of the recorded programs forreproduction, editing, and so forth.

FIG. 35 illustrates another format for displaying program indexinformation as, for example, in connection with step S3 of FIG. 15.Referring to FIG. 35, it will be observed that the display is in theform of a split-screen, divided into four quadrants, with the upper lefthand, upper right hand and lower left hand quadrants each displaying animage representative of respective program segments that have beenrecorded on the cartridge. It will be appreciated that this displayformat may be used when each of the program segments-has a correspondingdirectory entry that includes image data representing a frame of theprogram segment. Again, although not shown in FIG. 5, a cursor or thelike may be used to select for reproduction a program segmentrepresented by the corresponding image frame.

According to the method of storing information in a recording mediumcartridge memory as described herein, a number of program segments canbe grouped together by storing corresponding data items in the memory inthe form of a tree structure. This data structure facilitates retrievalof the information stored in the memory and also facilitates access tothe program materials recorded on the recording medium. The informationstored in the memory also preferably includes data relating to therecording medium, the manufacturer of the cartridge, and so forth.

The data structure described herein also makes it possible to provideoptions for the user of the cartridge, including creation of additionaldata items and adding of identifying information and the like toexisting data items to aid in the management of the recording mediumcartridge and the materials recorded therein.

It will also be noted that the information stored in the cartridgememory can be conveniently displayed in the form of a table or list, orif image data is stored in the memory, images representative of therecorded materials can be conveniently displayed. Further, the datastructure facilitates classification of the various types of recordedmaterials, so that operation of the recording and reproducing apparatusand management of the recorded materials is made easier.

Although the invention has been described largely in terms of recordingof video signals, it should be understood that the invention can also beadvantageously applied to music and other types of audio recordings, aswell as recording of other types of materials. It should also beunderstood that the invention may be applied with respect to other typesof recording media in addition to video tape cassettes and may beapplied in other types of apparatus in addition to video tape recorders.

Having described specific preferred embodiments of the present inventionwith reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood thatthe invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and thatvarious changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilledin the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the inventionas defined in the appended claims.

1. A method for reproducing information representative of signalsrecorded on a recording medium, wherein said recording medium isaccommodated within a recording medium cartridge that includes a memorydevice separate from said recording medium, the method comprising thesteps of: loading said recording medium cartridge into a reproducingapparatus; transmitting at least some of said information from saidmemory device included in said recording medium cartridge to saidreproducing apparatus; and reproducing said signals in accordance withthe transmitted information; wherein said transmitted informationincludes data identifying at least two of said signals recorded on saidrecording medium and specifies a predetermined order for said identifiedsignals, said predetermined order being different from the order inwhich said signals are recorded on said recording medium; whereby saidinformation is organized into a hierarchical structure that includes atleast a recording medium information branch and a recording contentinformation branch, said recording content information branch includingat least two levels and wherein the transmitted information includestitle information, and information that identifies a cartridge, date andtime.